CompTIA Data+ (DA0-002)Data Governance, Quality and ControlsHard
A report shows an unexpected spike in total sales revenue. To determine whether the anomaly originated from a transformation error in the ETL pipeline or from the original source system, an analyst reviews documentation that maps each field in the report back through every transformation step to its original source table and column. This documentation is an example of which of the following?
- AData profiling
- BBusiness glossary
- CData dictionary
- DData lineage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Data lineage
Data lineage documents the flow of data from its origin through each transformation and system to its final destination, enabling root-cause analysis and impact assessment when errors occur.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Data profiling analyzes data content and statistics, not the flow between systems.
- B. A business glossary defines business terms, not technical data flow.
- C. A data dictionary defines field names, types, and descriptions, not the flow of data through systems.
Data Lineage
Documentation that tracks the flow of data from its original source through every transformation and system to its final destination, supporting root-cause analysis and impact assessment.
- Traces data from source to report/consumption
- Essential for troubleshooting and auditing
- Part of broader metadata management
Memory trick: Lineage is the 'family tree' tracing data's journey.